This study explores the experiences of volunteers and employees and their work in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and also how their relations with distant others can be understood. The thesis argues that the volunteers and employees in Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS) have a complex image of their own, and their organizations' role in civil society, and the goals and content of development aid.
The study argues that NGOs roles in the development field should be anchored in the volunteers and employees' own experienced with the work that they do. The thesis therefore asks: What are the experiences of volunteers and employees in Norwegian People's Aid and the Norwegian Mission Society with the work that they do, and what characterizes the relations they have with distant others?
To say something about this, nine qualitative interviews have been conducted with volunteers and employees in NPA and NMS, along with an analysis of documents. The experiences of the individuals are explored in light of the organizations they are part of, their visions and goals. By looking into organizational documents, one can better understand NPA and NMS' visions and goals in the international work they participate in. The two organizations both take part in the institutional context of international aid, and therefore, with the help of scientific literature and contemporary debates, central political guidelines for development aid have been identified.
One of the findings in this study is how both employees and volunteers in NPA and NMS can be describes as committed. The employees and volunteers are both part of an important culture in the NGOs. There is a specific value in volunteerism which is highlighted in both organizations, and it is particularly interesting that the employees emphasize the importance of unpaid work. But in the same way as the volunteers, the employees can described as committed. They make economical sacrifices, are flexible in their work and adjust their personal lives for their organizations. Both employees and volunteers seem to go the other mile for their NGO.
Using sensitizing concepts, it is clear how the individuals in this study , it becomes clear how they understand the goals and content of development aid, and also how they experience relations with distant others. The employees and volunteers adapt official and organizational guidelines of partnership and justice. But it is also clear that these relations also have to be considered as gift relations. The individuals move between different comprehensions at the same time. This
iii
illustrates how the volunteers and employees have a very complex image of the goals and content of development aid. They also make important distinctions of what should and should not be a part of development aid. These distinctions, for example between long-term development aid and emergency relief work, illustrate their critical potential in civil society.